BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a monitor lens for a portable telephone, a monitor
lens for a PDA or PC, and an imaging lens used in a television camera, or the like,
using CCD and CMOS devices.
Description of Related Art
[0002] It has been proposed to use plastic lenses, and lenses permitting cost reduction
and compactification, for imaging lenses for CCDs of this kind.
[0003] However, although it is certainly possible to achieve reduction in the number of
lenses and size reductions, there have been observed lenses wherein, even if a shorter
optical path is successfully achieved, the distortion aberration is increased, and
the subject becomes distorted, or lenses wherein the outer diameter of the lens is
increased, or the overall length is increased, in order to correct distortion aberration,
or other aberrations, and hence compactification cannot be achieved.
[0004] In the future, cameras with imaging systems using CCD or CMOS devices, will become
extremely small, and hence there will be demand for extremely short optical paths
in the associated optical systems.
[0005] The prior art cannot be seen as providing compactification and satisfactorily contributing
to aberration compensation in order to obtain suitable aberration corresponding to
the compactification.
[0006] From here on, cameras using CCD and CMOS devices will become increasingly compactified,
and optical lens systems used in miniature equipment, such as portable telephones,
PDA equipment, and the like, will have shorter optical paths than lenses of this kind
in the prior art, and furthermore, such lenses will not be usable unless distortion
aberration is also corrected.
[0007] Various respective aspects and features of the invention are defined in the appended
claims. Features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent
claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims.
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention can provide an extremely small imaging lens
having a short optical path, low distortion aberration and high performance, which
can be used in cameras, televisions, and the like, using CCD and CMOS devices, and
comprises a small number of lenses, namely, a two-lens composition, whilst maintaining
a luminosity of approximately f2.8.
[0009] Embodiments of the present invention can provide an imaging lens which achieves weight
reduction by constituting all of the lens by means of plastic material.
[0010] In embodiments of the present invention, the lens system is constituted as described
below (see Fig. 1).
[0011] Namely, the imaging lens according to embodiments of the present invention comprises,
in sequence from the object side to the image side: an aperture diaphragm, a meniscus-shaped
first lens having positive power with a concave face oriented towards the object side,
a diaphragm, and a meniscus-shaped second lens having a concave face oriented towards
the image side, and hence the lens comprises a total of two lenses, namely, the first
lens and the second lens.
[0012] In embodiments of the present invention, by adopting a lens system wherein at least
one face of the first lens is an aspherical face, and one or more faces of the second
lens is an aspherical face, in such a manner that the imaging lens as a whole is a
lens system comprising at least two aspherical faces, good aberration values are obtained,
and furthermore, effective use of plastic can be used when employing plastic lenses.
[0013] In embodiments of the present invention, in addition to the shape characteristics,
the following compositional conditions, (1), (2) and (3) must be satisfied.



where
f : focal length of whole lens
f1 : focal length of first lens
f2 : focal length of second lens
D0 : distance from the aperture diaphragm face to the second face of second lens (total
central length of lens)
R2 : radius of curvature of image side of first lens
[0014] In embodiments of the present invention, the first and second lenses may both be
made from glass or from resin.
[0015] Moreover, in embodiments of the present invention, both faces of the first lens may
be aspherical faces, and the second face of the second lens may be an aspherical face.
[0016] According to embodiments of the present invention, a lens for a CCD or CMOS device
is constituted by means of a small number of lenses, namely, a two-lens composition,
and in order to achieve suitable brightness in a compact structure, aspherical faces
are employed in at least two of the lens faces.
[0017] Condition (1) determines the power distribution of the first lens and second lens,
and if the value of |f
1|/|f
2| becomes less than the minimum limit in condition, then the power of the first lens
will strengthen and the power of the second lens will weaken, and consequently, it
will become difficult to correct spherical face aberration, coma aberration, and distortion
aberration generated by the first lens.
[0018] Moreover, if the value of |f
1|/|f
2| exceeds the maximum limit of condition (1), then the power of the first lens weakens,
and in order to shorten the focal length (f) and back focus (bf), it is necessary
to increase the power of the second lens, thereby making it more difficult to correct
distortion aberration and coma aberration generated by the second lens, and hence
a good image cannot be obtained.
[0019] Condition (2) ensures that a suitable optical length is obtained, whilst maintaining
good aberration.
[0020] If the minimum limit is exceeded, then the radius of curvature of image side of the
first lens will form a strongly convex face, meaning that spherical face aberration,
coma aberration, and distortion aberration will increase, and it will be difficult
to correct this aberration, even if an aspherical surface is adopted.
[0021] Moreover, in a lens having a short focal length (f), the radius of curvature will
become too small and will become impossible to process.
[0022] If the upper limit is exceeded, then the radius of curvature of image side of the
first lens forms a weak convex surface, and the power of the first lens will weaken,
thereby making it difficult to adjust the correction of aberration in the first lens,
the focal length (f), and the length of the optical path.
[0023] Even if R2 is formed as an aspherical face, it is difficult to correct aberration
in this face, and ultimately, good images cannot be obtained.
[0024] Condition (3) stipulates the size of the lens system, whilst simultaneously maintaining
the peripheral amount of light, and if the total length of the lens (D
0) is less than the lower limit of condition (3), then in the case of a meniscus-shaped
lens, the Petzval sum will increase, which is undesirable. Moreover, if the focal
length is adjusted by reducing the radius of curvature of the second face (R2) of
the first lens in order to lengthen the focal length of the whole lens system, then
the spherical face aberration, coma aberration and distortion aberration will increase,
and it will not be possible to obtain a good image.
[0025] If the total length of the lens (D
0) exceeds the maximum limit of the condition (3), then the lens as a whole will be
long and the ratio of peripheral light will decline. In order to correct this, the
external diameter of the second lens must be increased, but the increased overall
length and external dimensions of the lens make it difficult to achieve compactification.
[0026] By means of the three conditions (1) to (3) above, a compact imaging lens having
excellent properties is obtained.
[0027] Moreover, the first lens may be formed by a double-convex lens having positive power
wherein both convex faces are oriented towards the object side. In this case, no diaphragm
is provided between the first lens and the second lens. The remaining composition
and conditions according to the present invention may be adopted in this case.
[0028] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
drawings, throughout which like parts are referred to by like references, and in which:
Fig. 1 is a compositional diagram of an imaging lens according to the present invention;
Fig. 2(A) is an optical diagram and Figs. 2(B) to 2(E) are aberration charts showing
a first embodiment of an imaging lens according to the present invention;
Fig. 3(A) is an optical diagram and Figs. 3(B) to 3(E) are aberration charts showing
a second embodiment of an imaging lens according to the present invention;
Fig. 4(A) is an optical diagram and Figs. 4(B) to 4(E) are aberration charts showing
a third embodiment of an imaging lens according to the present invention; and
Fig. 5(A) is an optical diagram and Figs. 5(B) to 5(E) are aberration charts showing
a fourth embodiment of an imaging lens according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings showing
respective embodiments. Incidentally, the drawings to be referred show merely schematic
arrangement of the respective constituent elements on such a level that the invention
can be understood.
[0030] Fig. 1 is a compositional diagram of an imaging lens according to the present invention.
[0031] Table 1 to Table 4 show compositional data relating to a first embodiment to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
(Table 1)
Compositional data (Embodiment 1) |
Radius of curvature (R1) |
Interval (di) |
Refractive index (ni) |
Abbe's constant (νi) |
Diaphragm |
d1 = 0.100 |
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
R1 = -2.748 |
d2 = 1.300 |
n2 = 1.53 |
v2 = 56 |
R2 = -0.9533 |
d3 = 0.000 |
|
|
Diaphragm |
d4 = 0.150 |
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
R3 = 1.389 |
d5 = 0.800 |
n5 = 1.53 |
v5 = 56 |
R4 = 0.88 |
d6 = 0.600 |
|
|
R5 = 0.00 |
d7 = 0.500 |
n7 = 1.52 |
Cover glass |
R6 = 0.00 |
|
|
|
Paraxial data |
Combined focal length f = 2.053 mm |
Fno (numerical aperture) = 2.8 |
Aspherical surface coefficients |
R1 |
K = 0.2168e+2 |
A = 0.1229 |
B = - 0.907 |
C = -0.2948 |
D = 0.698e+1 |
R2 |
K = -0.334 |
A = 0.3336e-1 |
B = 0.177e-2 |
C = -0.26e-1 |
D = 0.5084e-2 |
R3 |
K = -0.6318 |
A = -0.47e-1 |
B = 0.177e-1 |
C = 0.866e-3 |
D = -0.272e-2 |
R4 |
K = -0.634 |
A = -0.82e-1 |
B = -0.75e-1 |
C = 0.1066 |
D = -0.347e-1 |
(Table 2)
Compositional data (Embodiment 2) |
Radius of curvature (R1) |
Interval (di) |
Refractive index (ni) |
Abbe's constant (νi) |
Diaphragm |
d1 = 0.300 |
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
R1 = -2.3255 |
d2 = 1.000 |
n2 = 1.492 |
v2 = 57.8 |
R2 = -1.4641 |
d3 = 0.000 |
|
|
Diaphragm |
d4 = 0.300 |
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
R3 = 1.6665 |
d5 = 0.800 |
n5 = 1.492 |
v5 = 57.8 |
R4 = 2.1337 |
d6 = 0.800 |
|
|
R5 = 0.00 |
d7 = 1.000 |
n7 = 1.516 |
Cover glass |
R6 = 0.00 |
|
|
|
Paraxial data |
Combined focal length f = 3.293 mm |
Fno (numerical aperture) = 2.8 |
Aspherical surface coefficients |
R1 |
K = 0.8415 |
A = -0.295e-1 |
B = -0.6535e-1 |
C = 0.1173 |
D = -0.536e-1 |
R2 |
K = 0.1186 |
A = 0.3566e-1 |
B = -0.1293 |
C = 0.1385 |
D = -0.7014e-1 |
R3 |
K = -0.4043e-1 |
A = 0.176e-1 |
B = -0.4755e-2 |
C = -0.8826e-2 |
D = 0.333e-2 |
R4 |
K = 0.1593e+1 |
A = 0.5294e-1 |
B = -0.1333e-1 |
C = -0.8351e-3 |
D = -0.4133e-2 |
(Table 3)
Compositional data (Embodiment 3) |
Radius of curvature (R1) |
Interval (di) |
Refractive index (ni) |
Abbe's constant (νi) |
Diaphragm |
d1 = 0.300 |
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
R1 = -2.1142 |
d2 = 1.000 |
n2 = 1.492 |
v2 = 57.8 |
R2 = -1.110 |
d3 = 0.000 |
|
|
Diaphragm |
d4 = 0.300 |
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
R3 = 1.6803 |
d5 = 0.800 |
n5 = 1.492 |
v5 = 57.8 |
R4 = 1.4499 |
d6 = 0.800 |
|
|
R5 = 0.000 |
d7 = 1.000 |
n7 = 1.516 |
Cover glass |
R6 = 0.000 |
|
|
|
Paraxial data |
Combined focal length f = 2.96 mm |
Fno (numerical aperture) = 2.8 |
Aspherical surface coefficients |
R1 |
K = -0.100e+1 |
A = -0.113 |
B = -0.1816 |
C = -0.5337 |
D = 0.3025 |
R2 |
K = -0.100e+1 |
A = -0.4206e-1 |
B = -0.2084 |
C = 0.2646 |
D = -0.1946 |
R3 |
K = -0.100e+1 |
A = -0.1247e-1 |
B = 0.106e-1 |
C = -0.3786e-2 |
D = 0.9773e-3 |
R4 |
K = -0.100e+1 |
A = -0.1381e-1 |
B = 0.2549e-1 |
C = -0.1705e-1 |
D = 0.5139e-2 |
(Table 4)
Compositional data (Embodiment 4) |
Radius of curvature (R1) |
Interval (di) |
Refractive index (ni) |
Abbe's constant (νi) |
Diaphragm |
d1 = 0.184 |
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
R1 = 5.00 |
d2 = 1.400 |
n2 = 1.53 |
v2 = 56.0 |
R2 = -1.66 |
d3 = 0.05 |
|
|
|
R3 = 9.54 |
d4 = 0.78 |
|
v4 = 56.0 |
R4 = 2.08 |
d5 = 0.80 |
n5 = 1.53 |
|
|
R5 = 0.00 |
d6 = 0.50 |
|
Cover |
glass |
R6 = 0.00 |
|
n6 = 1.493 |
|
|
Paraxial data |
Combined focal length f = 3.624 mm |
Fno (numerical aperture) = 2.8 |
Aspherical surface coefficients |
R1 |
K = -0.399e+2 |
A = =0.347e-1 |
B = -0.136e-1 |
C = 0.198e-3 |
D = 0.195e-1 |
R2 |
K = -0.939e-1 |
A = 0.132e-1 |
B = -0.387e-2 |
C = -0.268e-2 |
D = -0.784e-3 |
R3 |
K = -0.313e+1 |
A = -0.653e-2 |
B = 0.224e-2 |
C = 0.123e-3 |
D = -0.881e-3 |
R4 |
K = 0.788e-1 |
A = 0.122e-1 |
B = -0.548e-2 |
C = -0.186e-2 |
D = 0.65e-3 |
[0032] In the respective embodiments, an imaging lens 10 may include a lens system 20 and/or
a cover glass G. The lens system 20 includes a first lens L1 and a second lens L2.
In the drawings, a reference character IS shows an image surface, the face numbers
correspond to the respective lenses(the first lens L1 and the second lens L2), and
the like (a cover glass G), counting in sequence from the subject.
[0033] Taking the face number as
i, the variables in the respective diagrams and tables are as follows:
Ri : radius of curvature of face i (radius of curvature at axis in the case of aspherical
surface);
di : distance from face i to face i+1
ni : refractive index of medium present at di
νi : dispersion of medium present at di .
[0034] The aspherical data is shown together with the face number in the bottommost column
of Table 1, Table 2, Table 3 and Table 4.
[0035] The zero curvature of radius of the aperture diaphragm AD and rear diaphragm i.e.
second diaphragm BD indicate that the radius of curvature is infinite.
[0036] The refractive index indicates the refractive index of ray d (587.56 nm), and the
Abbe's constant indicates the dispersion thereof.
[0037] In the aberration charts in Figs. 2(B) to 2(E), Figs. 3(B) to 3(E), Figs. 4(B) to
4(E) and Figs. 5(B) to 5(E), reference numeral 1 relates to a wavelength of 587.56
nm, reference numeral 2 relates to a wavelength of 480.0 nm, and reference numeral
3 relates to a wavelength of 650.0 nm.
[0038] The aberration data shown in Figs. 2(B) to 2(E) were obtained under a following condition.
[0039] Fno: 2.800, f1: 2.053(mm), DEFOCUS:0.000(mm) and IMAGE HIGHT(H): 1.315(mm), 0.920(mm),
0.657(mm) and 0.000(mm).
[0040] The aberration data shown in Figs. 3(B) to 3(E) were obtained under a following condition.
[0041] Fno: 2.805, f1: 3.293(mm), DEFOCUS:0.000(mm) and IMAGE HIGHT(H): 2.250(mm), 1.575(mm),
1.124(mm) and 0.000(mm).
[0042] The aberration data shown in Figs. 4(B) to 4(E) were obtained under a following condition.
[0043] Fno: 2.805, f1: 2.960(mm), DEFOCUS:0.000(mm) and IMAGE HIGHT(H): 2.251(mm), 1.575(mm),
1.125(mm) and 0.000(mm).
[0044] The aberration data shown in Figs. 5(B) to 5(E) were obtained under a following condition.
[0045] Fno: 2.800, f1: 3.624(mm), DEFOCUS:0.000(mm) and IMAGE HIGHT(H): 2.240(mm), 1.792(mm),
1.344(mm) and 0.000(mm).
[0046] Further, Figs. 2(B), 3(B), 4(B) and 5(B) show coma aberrations. Figs. 2(C), 3(C),
4(C) and 5(C) show astignatism aberrations. Figs. 2(D), 3(D), 4(D) and 5(D) show distortion
aberrations. Figs. 2(E), 3(E), 4(E) and 5(E) show spherical aberrations.
[0047] The front end of the curve indicating the astigmatism and distortion aberration in
Figs. 2(C) and 2(D) is situated 1.315 mm from the centre.
[0048] The front end of the curve indicating the astigmatism and distortion aberration in
Figs. 3(C) and 3(D) and Figs. 4(C) and 4(D) is situated 2.25 mm from the centre.
[0049] The front end of the curve indicating the astigmatism and distortion aberration in
Figs. 5(C) and 5(D) is situated 2.24 mm from the centre.
[0050] The aspherical faces used in the present invention are given by the following equation.
Z : depth of face apex from contact plane
c : paraxial curvature of face
h : height from optical axis
K : conical constant
A : 4th order aspherical coefficient
B : 6th order aspherical coefficient
C : 8th order aspherical coefficient
D : 10th order aspherical coefficient
In the numerical figures representing aspherical face constants in the respective
tables of this application, the denomination, "e - 1", for example, indicates the
-1th power of 10.
[0051] Below, the characteristic features of the respective embodiments are described.
[0052] The lens according to the first embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 2(A) and having
the compositional data illustrated in Table 1, employs Zeonex (480R), which is a thermoresistant
resin, for a first lens (L1) and second lens (L2). Zeonex is a trade name of Zeon
Co. Ltd., and 480R is a model number.
[0053] Both faces (i.e. the first and second faces) of the first lens (L1) and both faces
(i.e. the first and second faces) of the second lens (L2) are aspherical, the first
lens having a positive power and the second lens having a negative power.
Combined focal length f = 2.053 mm
Focal length of first lens (L1) f1 = 2.20 mm
Focal length of second lens (L2) f2 = 9.95 mm
Distance from face of aperture diaphragm AD to second face of second lens (total central
length of lens)D0 = 2.35 mm
Radius of curvature of image side of first lens (L1) R2 = -0.9533
[0055] With the lens according to the first embodiment, the various aberration data are
as indicated in Figs. 2(B), 2(C), 2(D) and 2(E) and a good image is obtained.
[0056] A second embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3(A) and having the compositional data shown
in Table 2 employs acrylic (PMMA) for the material of the whole lens.
[0057] Both faces (i.e. the first and second faces) of the first lens (L1) and both faces
(i.e. the first and second faces) of the second lens (L2) are aspherical and both
the first lens and second lens have positive power.
Combined focal length f = 3.293 mm
Focal length of first lens (L1) f1 = 5.81 mm
Focal length of second lens (L2) f2 = 9.89 mm
Distance from face of aperture diaphragm AD to second face of second lens (total central
length of lens)D0 = 2.4 mm
Radius of curvature of image side of first lens (L1) R2 = -1.4641 mm
[0059] With the lens according to the second embodiment, the various aberration data are
as indicated in Figs. 3(B), 3(C), 3(D) and 3(E) and a good image is obtained.
[0060] A third embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4(A) and having the compositional data shown
in Table 3 employs acrylic (PMMA) as the material for the whole lens.
[0061] Both faces (i.e. the first and second faces) of the first lens (L1) and both faces
(i.e. the first and second faces) of the second lens (L2) are aspherical, the first
lens having a positive power and the second lens having a negative power.
Combined focal length f = 2.96 mm
Focal length of first lens (L1) f1 = 3.58 mm
Focal length of second lens (L2) f2 = 148.46 mm
Distance from face of aperture diaphragm AD to second face of second lens (total central
length of lens)D0 = 2.4 mm
Radius of curvature of image side of first lens (L1) R2 = -1.11 mm
[0063] With the lens according to the third embodiment, the various aberration data are
as indicated in Figs. 4(B), 4(C), 4(D) and 4(E) and a good image is obtained.
[0064] The lens according to a fourth embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 5(A) and having
the compositional data shown in Table 4 employs Zeonex (E48R) as the material for
the whole lens. Zeonex is a trade name of Zeon Co. Ltd., and E48R is a model number.
[0065] Both faces (i.e. the first and second faces) of the first lens (L1) and both faces
(i.e. the first and second faces) of the second lens (L2) are aspherical, the first
lens having a positive power and the second lens having a negative power.
Combined focal length f = 3.624 mm
Focal length of first lens (L1) f1 = 2.54 mm
Focal length of second lens (L2) f2 = -5.21 mm
Distance from face of aperture diaphragm AD to second face of second lens (total central
length of lens)D0 = 2.414 mm
Radius of curvature of image side of first lens (L1) R2 = -1.66 mm
[0067] With the lens according to the fourth embodiment, the various aberration data are
as indicated in Figs. 5(B), 5(C), 5(D) and 5(E) and a good image is obtained.
[0068] Moreover, although plastic lenses were used in all of the first to fourth embodiments,
it is also possible to use so-called "molded glass" having an equivalent refractive
index, for these lenses.
[0069] As described in detail above, the imaging lens according to the present invention
has a simple two-group, two-lens composition, but by making positive use of plastic
lenses, it is possible to achieve an extremely small lens having a short optical length
and low distortion aberration, which can be used in cameras, televisions, and the
like, using high-performance CMOS and CCD devices. Moreover, since the whole of the
imaging lens is made from plastic material, it is possible to reduce the overall weight
of the imaging lens.
1. An imaging lens (10) which is
characterized in comprising, in sequence from the object side to the image side: an aperture diaphragm
(AD), a first lens (L1), a second diaphragm (BD), and a second lens (L2);
said first lens (L1) consisting of a meniscus-shaped lens having positive power
with a concave face oriented towards the object side; and
said second lens (L2) consisting of a meniscus-shaped lens with a concave face
oriented towards the image side;
wherein at least one face of said first lens (L1) is an aspherical face, and one
or more faces of said second lens (L2) is an aspherical face, in such a manner that
said imaging lens as a whole is a lens system (20) comprising at least two aspherical
faces, and satisfying each of the following condition equations (1), (2), (3).



where,
f : a focal length of the whole lens
f1 : focal length of first lens (L1)
f2 : focal length of second lens (L2)
D0 : distance from the aperture diaphragm face to the second face of second lens (total
central length of lens)
R2 : radius of curvature of image side of first lens (L1)
2. The imaging lens according to claim 1, wherein said first lens and second lens are
both made from plastic.
3. The imaging lens according to claim 1, wherein said second lens has (L2) negative
power.
4. The imaging lens according to claim 1, wherein said second lens has (L2) positive
power.
5. An imaging lens which is characetrized in comprising, in sequence from the object
side to the image side: an aperture diaphragm (AD), a first lens (L1) and a second
lens (L2);
said first lens (L1) consisting of a double convex-shaped lens having positive
power with a convex face oriented towards the object side;
said second lens (L2) consisting of a meniscus-shaped lens with a concave face
oriented towards the image side;
wherein at least one face of said first lens (L1) is an aspherical face, and one
or more faces of said second lens (L2) is an aspherical face, in such a manner that
said imaging lens as a whole is a lens system comprising at least two aspherical faces,
and satisfying each of the following condition equations (1), (2), (3).



where,
f : focal length of whole lens
f1 : focal length of first lens (L1)
f2 : focal length of second lens (L2)
D0 : distance from the aperture diaphragm face to the second face of second lens (total
central length of lens)
R2 : radius of curvature of image side of first lens (L1)
6. The imaging lens according to claim 3, wherein said first lens and second lens are
both made from plastic.
7. The imaging lens according to claim 5, wherein said second lens has (L2) negative
power.
8. The imaging lens according to claim 5, wherein said second lens (L2) has positive
power.